contravallation

[ kon-truh-vuh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

, Fortification.

1. a more or less continuous chain of redoubts and breastworks raised by besiegers outside the line of circumvallation of a besieged place to protect the besiegers from attacks from the outside, as by a relieving force.

contravallation

/ ˌkɒntrəvəˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. fortifications built by besiegers around the place besieged

Word History and Origins

Origin of contravallation¹

1670–80; contra- ¹( def ) + vallation; compare French contrevallation, Italian contravvallazione

Word History and Origins

Origin of contravallation¹

C17: from contra- + Latin vallātiō entrenchment; compare French contrevallation

Example Sentences

Contravallation, kon-tra-val-ā′shun, n. a fortification built by besiegers about the place invested.

From Project Gutenberg

Lines of Circumvallation and Contravallation.—These now obsolete terms were in great use until the 19th century.

From Project Gutenberg

The line of contravallation was the line of parapet and trench sometimes made by the besieger all round the town he was attacking, to check the sorties of the garrison.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a line of circumvallation against the loose, unorganized wickedness of the private ruffian; a line of contravallation also against the organized wickedness of the public government.

From Project Gutenberg

“Lines of Contravallation” were similar works by which the besieger protected himself against the attack of a relieving army from any quarter.

From Project Gutenberg